Raggi to meet Calenda Oct 17 (5)

On budget woes

(ANSA) - Rome, October 2 - Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi is to
meet Industry Minister Carlo Calenda October 17 over the Italian
capital's budget woes, sources said Monday.
On Friday's Rome city auditors rejected the council balance
sheet saying it did not reflect financial reality, and the
economy ministry also voiced concern.
The balance sheet, which the council proceeded to approve
anyway, contained the high debts of transport company ATAC and
waste company AMA, among others.
Critics have accused Raggi, a member of the
anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S), of not spending enough
to solve a range of problems including potholed roads and
ill-tended and litter-strewn areas.
Raggi, elected Rome's first woman mayor 17 months ago, has
said her hands are tied by debts inherited by spendthrift
predecessors.
Raggi is facing criticism even from within the M5S for her
handling of Rome's woes.
She now faces an indictment request for alleged falsehood
over an appointment, and some M5S members are saying she should
go if found guilty, even though the more serious charge of abuse
of office has been dropped.